Escape From The Ruins Of The Isle: A Descendants Novel

Chapter 3: The Proclaimation (Prerevision)

Mal looks up as her mother's shadow falls over her. Surrounding her more and more until she turns right at her throne to stand directly in front of it. A sinister look over her face as her black horn shaped hat now sat proudly amongst her blonde waves.

"Welcome all. I call this meeting of the League of Villains officially to order. As unusual as it may be. We have some visitors awaiting to enter from the mainland. Now, I've been cautioned that we must all be on our best behavior or we may truly pay the price this time. As if being stuck living in ruins with no magic wasn't enough." Maleficent begins looking around at each throne set. "Now Goons, as we promised to them, please close off the galleries."

As instructed, two of her goblin goons stumble down the stairs shutting the heavy gates along the stairs, cutting off any entrance or exit from each layer of the League from the stairs. The only area not closed off was the inner circle. And that was up to the royals own risk.

"Now that all the agreements have been met. Here is the King and Queen of Astoria and their son, the crown Prince, Benjamin." Maleficent finished off her speech sitting on her throne.

As she sat, the doors at the top of the meeting room opened. King Adam entered dressed elegantly in a blue satin jacket trimmed with gold. Under it he had on a white shirt and cravat. And wore black pants, On his arm was his wife, Belle dressed elegantly in a yellow dress and coat. Behind them, was a sandy haired young man about Mal's age dressed the same as his father.

The King and Queen walked down to the third layer and stopped. The young prince continued forward stepping into the inner circle. The room was collectively shocked as he did this.

Maleficent looked up at him with a menacing smile. "Well, well, well... I hear you chose her and now to make your first proclamation. "

"I did." Ben answers. Nervous but keeping his tone even. Something that impressed Mal. She was already staring at the attractive young man from the land where she'd rather be.

"My entire existence as a King is based on fairness and justice. And I owe that to all of my subjects. No matter where they call their home." Ben started making a point to meet as many eyes as he could.

"And as such, I believe that everyone deserves a chance. Especially those condemned to a way of life that is in no way their fault. And so, I have decided that my first proclamation as King of Astoria.... Will be for those in that situation." He continued.

"Spit it out boy!" Hook says looking up at the boy.

"Right, sorry. My proclamation is for every child of the villains is to join my classmates and I in attending Astoria Preparatory and Finishing school for the new semester that begins in three days." Ben says calmly.

The room erupts in outrage as villains shout their distaste in this idea. It grew exponentially as the news fully sunk into everyone.

Maleficent holds up her hands and bellows. "Quiet fools! Let the young man finish!!"

"Amuck,amuck,amuck1" Sarah Sanderson says spinning still.

"Quiet sister and sit down!" Winnie says pulling her down into her throne before the young Prince begins to speak again.

"Thank you. Tomorrow morning, carriages will come over from the mainland to bring the students over. As will wagons for the belongings they will be bringing with them. I shall personally see to the move." Ben looks around. "And I vow that no harm shall befall your children while in Astoria. Any one of them who breaks the rules that shall be given to them will go through a punishment step like any other students. However, if they get expelled from the school. They shall be banished back here and forfeit their chance at redemption."

The room was still abuzz as Ben finished and went up to the step his parents were on before speaking once more. "I shall see you all in the morning then."

Belle and Adam led Ben out as the room erupted in protest once more. Maleficent let this continue until the Royal family was cleared of the barrier and her minions undid all of the gates.

"My agreement to them has been fulfilled. I do not agree with the Proclamation. But it may be a chance for our youngest members to earn their places amongst us." Maleficent speaks prompting a silence to take her words in.

"Like what?" Drizella asks holding her husband, Hans' hand. "I'm losing almost all of my staff to this new King's demand. And the twerp hasn't even taken the throne yet!"

"Let our Mistress of Darkness speak!" Ravenessa Grimhilde, the Evil Queen spoke from her position at Maleficent's right hand. "We trust her as our leader and know she wants to fulfill everything that Lady Tremaine laid out for us in the manifesto!"

The room quieted again as everyone hung onto that idea. That hope. They wanted to overcome the Heroes once and for all. This could completely derail every hope Mal had for this opportunity. She wanted to truly start over free of her mother's influence.

"Alas, I was not prepared with a task. However, I will task our children to find out how to get our magic back. By getting rid of this troublesome barrier." Maleficent said. "That will be their task of initiation into our League. "

With those words, she began to step forward out of the circle and up the stairs. Signalling to all that the meeting was indeed over and no more would be said on the matter.